Page 122 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Day 7 – Friday, July 21: The Art & History of Florence, Capital of the Renaissance. This
morning, depart Villa Bordoni by private transfer 1 hr to Florence. Upon arrival, drop your
luggage at your accommodations. Next, proceed 7 min on foot to the most iconic attraction of
the Renaissance city, the Florence
Duomo known locally as the Basilica di
Santa Maria del Fiore. We’ve included
skip-the-lines tickets to Brunelleschi's
dome, a masterpiece capable of
withstanding lightning, earthquakes and
the passage of time. It continues to
enchant all those who observe it from
afar.

Climb to the top of the Duomo via its
impressive 463-step staircase. The walk
up the steps is not for the faint-hearted!
Be prepared for a steep and narrow
climb—hard work, but most definitely
worth it. As you ascend through the two shells of the dome, pass fascinating frescoes from
esteemed Renaissance artists like Vasari and Zuccari. Once at the top, enjoy simply
incomparable views over Florence and the Tuscan hills.

After lunch, meet Angela, our exceptional, handpicked guide, for a private, half-day tour that
will combine certain art riches of Florence with historical context to provide you with a vivid
picture of Florence during its Renaissance heyday. We suggest and have included a guided visit
to L’Accademia, which was founded in the
nineteenth century to house
Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of
David, arguably the most famous sculpture
work in the world. As part of this visit,
Angela will share with you why David is a
symbol of Renaissance optimism. She also
will assist in your study of five other
sculptures by Michelangelo at the
gallery—the four unfinished Prisoners and
St. Matthew—along with another must-see,
Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines. Next,
stroll with your guide through the medieval, cobblestone streets to admire Piazza Signoria and its
open-air collection of original statues. During this time, you will gain an appreciation for the
city’s rich history with attention to its medieval and Renaissance past. You can pass by the

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